When it comes to choosing a campsite we all have our own list of ‘must haves’ and ‘must nots’, which in Europe is fairly simple, given the huge variety of sites that cater to everyone’s needs and wishes. But what happens when you head further afield and visit countries that are not renowned as touring destinations?
This is the exact prospect we faced on the Big European Odyssey when we left Croatia behind and set forth into Bosnia & Herzegovina, and eventually onwards to Montenegro, two countries that are not, yet at least, widely known as touring destinations. However, far from meaning we had to start settling for sub-standard sites, it meant we got to experience an array of unique locations staying on sites that, in their own way, were just as good, if not better in places, than some of their European counterparts.
Here are six of our favourite campsites in the Balkans, although if you’re thinking of touring in the UK instead, be sure to take a look at our best motorhome sites guide.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Camp Buk
Set on the banks of the tranquil River Una, and with its own plum and apple orchard, Camp Buk is a beautiful small site that offers total peace and solitude from the rest of the world.
It has a good array of facilities, albeit a little on the tired side and minus laundry options, with hot water in the mornings and evenings and a restaurant on site offering simple, tasty local cuisine at dinner time. We stayed here for four nights, paying €25 per night for four people with electric hook up and use of the camp WiFi.
Sarajevo Camping
As a family we tend to prefer campsites that are more rural, but no trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina would be complete without visiting Sarajevo, and so this site picked itself in many ways. But what a great site, with everything you could need and two incredibly helpful hosts.
Set on the outskirts of the city, with a tram stop eight hundred metres away linking it to the heart of Sarajevo, it is the perfect base from which to explore the city, as well as do all your motorhome admin.
Hot water throughout the day, clean, modern sanitary blocks and laundry facilities. We paid €25 a night for a pitch with electric hook up and WiFi at Sarajevo Camping.
Mali Wimbledon Camping
An absolute gem of a site that has to be visited to be believed. Where else in Bosnia & Herzegovina can you stay at such an immaculate site with a grass tennis court (hence the name of the site), a maintained football pitch, a European standard swimming pool and covered coffee and bar area. The pitches at Mali Wimbledon Camping are set amongst fruit and olive trees giving the feeling that you could just as well be in Provence as in the Balkans.
We stayed here in order to visit Blagaj, a two kilometres walk from the site, but ended up staying a few extra days to enjoy the site and all of its facilities. Ebra and his wife are not only very hospitable, but intriguing people to chat to as well. €27 a night for a pitch with water, electric hook up and WiFi, and worth every penny.
Montenegro
Camp Ivan Do
Set on the outskirts of Zabljak, the quaint mountain town that is the gateway to Durmitor National Park, this small but simple site is the perfect base to visit the national park. Facilities are simple, a wash block with two showers and two toilets, as well as a dish washing area, although laundry can be done on request at the site owner’s house.
As with most sites in Montenegro there are no set pitches at Camp Ivan Do, but rather a wide open space in which you decide where you pitch, but with several electric hook up points. A five minute walk takes you to the banks of the stunning Black Lake, and the site has wonderful views of the many peaks of the mountains that Durmitor is famous for. €20 per night.
Camping Oaza
This family owned and run site is small but pretty much perfect, offering a handful of pitches set amongst the trees with views down to the impressive Skadar Lake. Facilities are once again simple but clean at Camping Oaza, with a wash block that has a constant supply of hot water, three small glamping huts and a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, both need to be pre-booked, and a great selection of drinks.
It makes a great base from which to explore Skadar Lake National Park, as well as visit the caves that are a kilometre further down the road from the site. €22 a night.
Autocamp Naluka
If you plan to visit Kotor Bay it is, in our opinion, best to stay a little further out to avoid the crowds and inevitable busy road that leads into Kotor itself. Set on the other side of the bay is Autocamp Naluka, a site that would not be out of place in Europe with its smart, well maintained pitches, an extensive sanitary block with hot water, laundry facilities and a daily bread cart that stops at the site.
On the other side of the road is access to a pebble beach, where there are a handful of small restaurants and cafes, as well as a well-stocked mini market and a regular bus service to Kotor. €25 a night.
- Looking for somewhere peaceful to head to for your next tour? Then check out our adults only motorhome site guide.
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